Counting mechanism



April 4, 1950 R. B. JOHNSON COUNTING MECHANISM 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed May 10, 1944 INVENTOR fif /vom 5f Jam/30m Ai'ToRNEY R. B. JOHNSON COUNTING MECHANISM April 4, 1 950 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed May 10, 1944 INVENTOR A B N040 .5 JO/f/A/SO/V ATTbRNEY 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 R B JOHNSON COUNTING MECHANISM INVENTOR Awv040 6. JOHNSON I M ATTORNEY April 4, 1950 Original Filed May 10, 1944 April 4, 1950 R. B. JOHNSON 2,502,959

COUNTING MECHANISM Original Filed May 10, 1944 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 +5 v Fic. 4-.

INVENTOR ATTORH EY lQEV/VOLO 5. JOHNSON-I 9 5 m t N Y e 0 E 2 M TH N 0 w N R 5 S W- .O 2 m ma m 6 0.Y W B E F R B JOHNSON COUNTING MECHANISM April 4, 1950 Original Filed May 10, 1944 April 4, 1950 R. B. JOHNSON COUNTING MECHANISM Original Filed May 10, 1944 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 OFF 75 l N v E N TO R Rim/0L0 5 JOHNSON Fla HOV DC Patent'ed Apr. 4, 1950 COUNTING MECHANISM Reynold B. JohnsomBinghamton, N. Y., assignor.

to International tion, New York, York Original application Business Machines Corpora- N; Y., a corporation of New May 10, 1944, Serial No.

534,966. Divided and this. application October 27, 1944,.Seria1 No.

4 Claims.

This. invention relates. to counting apparatus and: is a division. of copending application Serial No. 534,966, filed May 10,, 1944. now abandoned. Such apparatus includes a plurality of counters, each counter being utilized to count a different set of facts. The apparatus may be used wherever it is desired to provide separate counts of dis.- ti'nguishable items and of, totals. For example, it is possible to use the, apparatus for counting the number of slips or checks deposited in the different compartments of a machine, such as disclosed in. Patent No. 1,946,906, or as a vote counter where each counter may be assigned to a different candidate. On the other hand, the apparatus may be conveniently provided as an attachment to av record. sorting, machine, where each counter may serve to count the number of occurrences of. a designation on the cards or of combinations of designations. or of the number of cards distributed to each sorting pocket, An instance of the latter use of counting apparatus is found in Patent No. 1,926,896.

The general objectof the present invention resides. in the provisionv of. improvements in counting. apparatus, leadingv to increased simplicity of construction. and of. operation and providing for much greater compactness of structure than heretofore attained. The apparatus according to the present invention may be assembled as a compact unit. to bereadily attachedto any record handling machine. or the like, or to be used as a separate unit and associated with suitable controls for the counter sets.

More specifically, an object of. the invention is to provide counter sets arranged in an organization which is stationary during counting operations and in whichv a rotatingmagnetmoves past the counters in succession to operate the same selectively.

Another object of the; invention is to provide novel resetting means for the counter sets.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide novel, simple means for selectively actuating the counter sets; 9

More specifically, an object isto provide a single, differentially actuable; device for. controlling. operation of any of the counter sets.

The object is, moreover, to provide a single actuating mechanismior the counter sets and a.

single magnet for cooperatively connecting the:

actuating mechanism to any desired one of the counter sets.

The object is, further, to provide a single control. and actuating meansfor a plurality of: counter sets, with such. means being timed syn 2. chronously with controlmeans to selectively operate the counter sets.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in. the following description and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose, by way of example, the principle of the invention and the best mode, which has'been contemplated, of applying that principle.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a general view showing themanner in which counting mechanism is coordinated with a well known type of record'card sortingmachine.

Fig; 2 is a view taken through the record card feeding mechanism of the sorting; machine showing the drive connections therefrom to the counting mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a section taken on lines 3-3 of Fig. 2, showing the. reset operating'key and. levers and the record tape feed devices.

Fig. 4' is an enlarged sectional detail showing the. operating. devices for the counters.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken. substantially along lines 55 of Fig. 4, showing the rotating magnet and the reset gear connections.

Fig. 6 is a wiring, diagramv of the electric circuits of the machine- In Fig. 6 the card; sensing mechanism of a well known sorting, machine is diagrammatically shown as comprising. a sensing brush l2, between which and a contact roller 24 record cards having a column of index point positions move so that the brush senses the positions in the order 9, 8L '7, 6, etc. and" the occurrence of a perforation in any such position will enable brush I2- to contact roller 24- through the perforation at the time the related position is sensed. A distributor 351s synchronized with the-movement of the card, so thatitspositionsQ, 8-, 7', 6, etc., pass stationary brushes 36a, 31a, 39a, 38a asthe corresponding ca-rd positions pass brush l'2. The circuit connections controlled through brush [2- and commutator 35 will be fully explained in connection with the later description of' the circuit diagram.

The card feeding mechanism: comprises a picker Hi (Fig. 2)" horizontallyreciprocablethrough arm l9 and link 20- connected to an arm 2| on main drive shaft 22, which makes one revolution for each card advanced. The picker advances cards from the bottom of thestack 23 to the usual feed rollers-which advance them to and between brush [2 and contact roller 24 (Fig. 6).

Shaft 22 is driven by motor M (Fig. 6) which is connected to opposite current supply lines 25 and 26 through contacts Ric and R21: of motor relays RI and R2. Relays RI andR! are connected in parallel to line 26 and through a wire 2'! to the contacts R3a of a time delay relay R3, which contacts are connected through a wire 28 to the start relay R4. Energization of relay R3 is controlled through a cold cathode tube M of the type OA4G through a circuit from negative line 26, cathode of the tube, anode of the tube, relay R3 to positive lin 25. However, no current can be passed from cathode to anode of the tube until the starter anode reaches a potential of about 55 volts. The starter anode voltage is determined by the change in the .5 mfd. condenser 29 which is zero at the time current is supplied to main lines 25, 26, when the voltage rises across the condenser at a rate determined by the capacity of the condensers and the value of resistance SI5. The charging circuit is from negative line 26, condenser 29, resistance SI5, relay contacts R3b (lower), relay R3 to line 25. When the starter anode reaches the trip voltage, an are results from cathode to starter anode, which establishes the pickup circuit from cathode to anode and contacts R3?) (upper) establish a holding circuit from negative line 26, resistance SI6, contacts R3b (upper), relay R3 to line 25, which maintains relay R3 energized until current is interrupted to lines 25 and 26.

Depression of the start key 36, after the time interval to energize relay R3, will cause a closure of contacts 36a to complete a circuit from line '25, normally closed contacts 3|, contacts 36a, relay R4, wire 28, contacts R3a, wire 21, relays RI and R2 in parallel to line 26. Motor M is then brought into operation and cards commence to advance from stacker 23. As they advance in succession, they engage the usual card levers generally designated 32 (shown diagrammatically in Fig. 6) and located to close contacts 32a, 32b and 32c and hold them closed as long as cards continue to feed. Contacts 32a close before the index point positions of the first card hav reached brush I2, contacts 32b close after the index point positions of the first card have passed brush I2 and contact 320 close just before the first index point positions of the first card reach brush I2. Thereafter, they all remain closed. Contacts 32a provide a holding circuit for relay R4 traceable from line 25, contacts 3|, wire 46, contacts 32a, contacts 33, stop key contacts 34a, contacts R4a, relay R4, wire 28, contacts R3a, wire 21, relays RI and R2 to line 26.

. The sorter is provided with the usual distributor 35 (Figs. 1 and 6) which makes one revolution for each card cycle and is provided with a ring of twelve segments 36'electrically connected with a common conducting ring 31 and a holding segment 38. For the purposes of the present invention, and as will be explained in connection with the counting mechanism, an additional four segments 39 are provided which are also electrically connected to common conductor 3?. Stationary brushes 36a, 31a, 38a and 39a traverse the like designated segments. The segments 36 contact the brush 36a at the time that th like numtacts R611 to provide a holding circuit from line 25, contacts 3|, wire 46, brush 31a, common 3?, segment 38, brush 38a, wire 42, relays R7, R5, contacts R6a, relay R6, resistance SI, switch 34 to line 26.

The mechanical construction of the counting mechanism will now be described, and thereafter the controlling circuit connections.

Referring to Fig. 2, the main sorter shaft 22 has a spur and bevel gear connection generally designated 44 with a shaft 45 and with a ratio so that the shaft 45 makes one revolution for each revolution of shaft 22. At its right hand end (Figs. 4 and 5) shaft 45 has secured thereto a block or balanced arm 46 provided with an opening 41 in which there is secured a pair of magnets 48, That is, the weight of the lever 46 and magnets 48 is equally divided on opposite sides of shaft 45. The laminated cores 45 of the magnets lie in a line radial with respect to shaft 45 and, as the shaft rotates counterclockwise as viewed in Fig. 5, the ends of cores 49 pass latches 56 arranged in a circle about the shaft. There are sixteen of these latches and for each there is provided a counting mechanism of the well known Veeder type. Energization of magnet 43 when it is opposite any latch 56 and as it is passing such latch will attract the same and rock it clockwise (Fig. 4) about a pivot wire 5|, against the tension of spring 52.

A limiting disk extending into a bifurcation in the latch insures that the latch will not contact the magnet core so there is no interference with the latters rotation. In line with each latch 56 is a lever 53 normally held in the full line position shown and released to rock to its dotted line position, under the influence of spring 54 when latch 56 is attracted. This lever 53 is pivoted at 55 to a plunger 56 which is guided for radial reciprocation in a sleeve 51 fixed in a stationary drum 58.

Secured to shaft 45 is an eccentric cam 56 about which there is a sleeve 66 shouldered at 6| and, when lever 53 is held by latch 56, the inner end of the lever lies to one side of the plane of rotation of sleeve 66. Upon release of the lever, its inner end is drawn by spring 54 into the plane of the sleeve and against shoulder 6|. The relative positions of magnet 48 and sleeve 66 are shown in Fig. 5, where it will be noted that, when the magnet 48 is opposite a latch 56, the low portion of least radius of sleeve 66 is opposite the corresponding lever 53 and, as the sleeve continues to rotate, it will urge lever 53 outwardly and through the lever will force plunger 56 in the same direction. Plunger 56 is provided with a slot 63 at its outer end in which a roller 64 of a bail 65 rides. A coil spring 66 (Fig. 5) has its inner end secured to bail 65 and its outer end to stationary side plate 61 of the counter, so that as the ball is rocked clockwise as viewed in Fig. 5 the spring is tightened and later, as lever 53 rides along the periphery of sleeve 66, will restore plunger 56 to its initial position.

After magnet 48 has tripped latch 56 and passed on to the next latch, the first will rock back to its initial position so that later, when plunger 56 is retracted, an extension 66 thereon will strike a shoulder 69 of the latch to thereby cause the lever 53 to swing back to its initial position (Fig. 4) as the plunger continues to its restored position.

Bail 65 has pivoted thereto the usual spring pressed actuating pawls designated I6 which cooperate with ratchets '|I secured to wheel 12 to advance the lowest ordered wheel (the one farescapee thestztorthel left. imFigA). one unit for-eachoscll- Iatiom ofthezbailz. The usual tens: transfer action cuit diagram. (Fig. 6) where a counting switch is first/closed if it is. desired to-count. the occurrence of. perforations. When the card sensing brush: l2- makes contact. through a. hole in the card. in any of the successively sensed positions 9,8, 7, 6, 5; 4,. 3., 2, 1,.0, 1 1 or 12, a circuit is completed as follows:

Assuming, for example; that a. hole-occurs in the 9 position (at-which-moment ;magnet 48: is in line with latch 50 of the 9 counter), from. positive line 25,. contacts 31, wire 40-, commutator. brush 3 1a, common conductor 3-7, 9 segment. 36, brush 36a, wire 4|, card lever contacts 32c, roller. 24,. 9 hole in the card, brush l2, resistance S8, wire (8, switch '5, center tap of 45 volt battery 16, resistance SL1, to negative side of line 2-5.. The flow of current in this circuit brings the center. tap of the battery to a potential of +35 volts. The battery voltage from the center tap to its upper terminal is 22.5 volts, so the potential at. the'three 2-megohm resistances S12, S13 and SM is about 12.5 volts. These resistances are in series with amplifier vacuum tubes 17 of. the=type L6-and, since all negative potential has now been removed from the grids of. these tubes, current. may flow freely to the counter magnet 48; through parallel circuits traceable from negative line 26, cathodes of the tubes 'l-"I, plates of the tubes, wire 8!, magnet .48, wire 40, contacts 3| to positive line 25. The

connections to magnet 48 are made through a suitable slip ring and brush device designated 80 generally in Fig. 2, from which wires extend through a bore inshaft 45 to the magnet.

Energization of magnet 48 will thus cause a unit to be added in the. 9 counter. The circuit holds only for the duration of the card brush contact through. the perforation in the card and,

was; the. brush. rides out of. the hole, the control gridsof the. tubes resume a negative potential in terrupting current to the magnet. The tube grids arenormally maintained at a 45 volt negative potential'rel'ative tothe cathode by means of resistance SIT, the battery and resistors SIZ, Sl3'and' SM; The tube filaments are connected in seriesthrough' a circuit from positive line 25, resistor Sl'8, filaments of the threetubes 11, to negative line 26-to heat the cathodes.

The scre'en grids of tubes 1'! are connected to the positive side of line through resistances S5, Sill, SH and Sit. This positive potential accelerates the flow of electrons from cathode to plate and resistor Sl9 serves as a protective resistor for the screen grids should the plate voltage-be'rem'oved. S19 is chosen to give 200 milliamperes current through counter-magnet 48 as a static condition. However, the'two I00 mfd. condensers (l2 connected between the tubeside of resistor S19 and negative line 28' serve to maintainthe counter magnet'current at considerably above 200 milliamperes; The charge in the con.- densers maintains a high voltage on the screen grids duringshort drops in the line voltage. During longer linesvoltage drops, the machine speed reduces so that proper operation is assured at reduced. magnet current; Should; the machine stop. in a position which gives an impulse. to the counter. magnet. circuit, the charge in the-.6011:

tive line 26.

sers, the; screen voltage is changed so as-to give high counter magnet current for short impulses and low magnet current for long impulses. Resistors S9, SID and SH all serve to isolate the screen's,v preventing parasitic oscillations.

There are twelve segments on the distributor 35 as stated, and these correspond to the twelve hold positions in the: card column and are contacted in order bybrush 36a, so that the occurrence of a hole in any of these positions will cause energization of magnet 48 to add a unit in the related counter.

Reject count circuit.If no hole is sensed in the card column traversed by brush l2, the relays R5 and R! will not be energized at the time segment 38 designated RE contacts brush 39a, and a circuit will be completed from line 25, contacts 3|, wire 40, brush 31a, conductors 31, 38, segment 39 (RE), brush 38a, wire 83; cardv lever contacts 322), contacts R'I'a, resistance S7, wire 78, switch "I5, center top of battery 16; resistor SI! to nega- This circuit causes operation of tubes "ll in the same manner as when a card hole is sensed, to energize magnet 48 when it' is in linewiththe reject counter designated BE ments and traceable as for the reject count circuit to add a unit into each of the three counters similarly identified in Fig.- 5. Thus, after a group of cards hasbeen': run through the machine and sorted into separate numerical groups, the ring.

of. counters will contain settings representing the number of. cards contained in the related sorting pockets and thetotal number of cards fed.

Printing operation-Each counter is provided with numeralwheels 12 (Fig. 4) which in well known manner are displaced during the counting operations; As already mentioned, the sixteen counters. are supported on drum 58 whose flange is provided withia notch 84 (Figs. 3: and 5) normally engaged by a. detent 85. to hold the drum in position. Upon inward pressing of Print button 86, slide 81' moves to theright as viewed in Fig. 3, and through pin and slot connection 88 rocks lever 89 clockwise to rock rod 98, to which there is secured-an arm 91 (Fig. 5). This arm has pin and slot connection 92 with detent which in turn is loosely fitted on red 90, so that through a screw 93 in the detent 85 the latter may be adjusted in its: stopping position. A spring: 94%serves as a. shock absorber whendetent 85 drops into notch 84 during the. clockwise rotation of drum 58.

Referring, to Figs; 2 and-3, drum-58 has secured thereto a gear 95 meshingwith a gear 96, on a stud; 9'lto-which' there is fastened a hand lever 98.... With. Print button 85 depressed. the oper- -wise by a spring I02. pin I03 limits the movement of the frame and,

ator will turn lever 98 through two complete revolutions in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 3, so that drum 58 and the counters thereon make a full revolution during which each counter will in turn pass through the printing position opposite platen 99. The platen 99 is supported in a frame comprising side arms 100 (see Fig. 2) pivoted on a rod IDI and urged clock- An adjustable eccentric when drum 58 is in its latched position, a block I04 thereon engages and holds the frame slightly away from its limit stop I 03.

also Fig. 2) is provided to press the paper against the platen. As the drum 58 rotates, the block I04 releases the print frame and the platen 09 and tape move into the path of movement of the print wheels 12 and, as each set of wheels passes the platen, the frictional engagement of the wheels with the tape will cause the tape to move therewith as the Wheels effect an impression on the tape. Just prior to the arrival of a counter at the printing position, its wheels I2 pass over an inking roller III] which is saturated through a wick extending into a well I I I.

. Thus, after a revolution of drum 58 in a clockwise direction, a section of tape I06 will have been advanced as shown in Fig. l. The operator may then draw it still further and tear the section off against the serrated cutting edge II2. Fig. 1 shows a tape section wherein the five left hand columns show the amounts set in the sixteen counters and an extra column of designations identifies the particular counters. These designations are printed from wheels 12a (Figs. 2 and 4) coaxial with wheels I2 and presettable in accordance with desired designations.

Resetting operation-Each of the counters is provided with a gear II3 (Figs. 2 and 4) which .counters, the gear H3 is loose on the countershaft and has adjacent to it a collar II4 which is secured to the shaft and which has a threaded stud II5 rotatable by a hand wheel II6 to couple the collar and gear. When the parts are uncoupled as in Fig. 5, a spring member I" holds wheel H6 against rotation.

All the gears II3 mesh with a ring gear II8 (see 5), which ring gear is mounted for rotation on drum 58 so that, if gear II8 is rotated, the gears I I3 will be driven to reset their respective counters, and in the case of the four special counters this resetting is selective, depending on whether the collar I I I and gear H3 in such positions have been preliminarily coupled. Fig. 1 shows the coupling wheels H6 in the position they occupy when drum 58 is in its latched position, wherein the wheels are accessible for adjustment.

The manner in which ring gear II8 is rotated is as follows: With drum 58 in latched position, gear II3 of the 8 counter is adjacent to a mutilated gear I20 (Figs. 2 and 5) secured to a shaft I2I whose opposite end carries lever I22 (Figs. 1 and 3). A notched disk I23 engaging a pin I24 in reset slide I25 normally holds the shaft I 2I against rotation. Upon depression of Reset button I26, pin I24 releases disk I23 and lever I22 may then be rotated to turn shaft I2I and through gear I20 the gear' I I3 of the 8 counter turns ring gear II8, whereupon all other gears I I3 are rotated to reset their respective counters.

Referring to Fig. 3, slides 81 and I25 both have an extension I21 which, when either slide is actuated, will engage and open contacts 3| to prevent operation of the card feeding mechanism during a print or reset operation. Slide I25 has a lever I28 pivoted thereon, whose upper end has pin and slot connection I29 with slide 81. This lever coacts with a fixed stud I30 (see Fig. 2) so that, when either slide is moved, the midpoint of the lever I28 will be advanced up to stud I30 and, if the other slide is then moved, stud I30 acts as a fulcrum for lever I28 and said lever is rocked to return the first slide. 7

While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a single modification, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention therefore to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of counters, a common actuator therefor, a plurality of elements, one for each counter, for connecting the related counters to said actuator, a latch for each element, said latches being arranged in a circle and lying in a common plane, a magnet, means for continuously moving said magnet in a circle and in a plane parallel to the plane of said latches to pass said latches in succession, energization of said magnet when adjacent to any latch causing an operation of said latch by magnetic attraction to release the related element, means effective upon said release to cause the element to connect the related counter to said actuator, and means for causing energization of said magnet during its movement to operate any one or more latches.

2. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of counters arranged in a circle about a common axis, a counterbalanced magnet and supporting means therefor rotating continuously around said axis to pass the counters in succession, a continuously rotating cam coaxial with the counters and magnet, normally inefiective connections between the cam and counters, and means operative upon energization of said magnet when it is opposite any counter for rendering said connections efiective between the cam and said counter whereby the cam will actuate the counter.

3. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of counters arranged in a circle, a plurality of actuating elements also arranged in a circle opposite related counters, each element normally being in an inactive position and movable therefromv to an active position, a continuously rotating arm, selecting means on said arm movable in a circle to pass said elements in succession, means operative while the arm is in motion for causing said selecting means to selectively re lease one or more actuating elements for movement to their active positions, means acting upon and through the released elements to actuate the related counters.

4. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of counters arranged in a circle, a common actuator, a plurality of actuating elements, one

9 10 for each counter, arranged in a circle, each op- REFERENCES CITED erable to connect its related counter to said com- T f mon actuator, a latch for each element normally file g ggii fi j are of record in the holding the related element out of connecting,..- engagement with the actuator, a continuously. 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS rotating arm, a magnet on said arm moving in a circle tosuccessively pass said latches, means for Number Name Date momentarily energizing said magnet during the 1 gg' x2 rotation of said arm, when the magnet is inline: 1877150 Thompson 1932 with any latch to magnetically attract the latch.,10 2312342 Lang iki, 1943 and release the related element to effect connection between the related counter and said common actuator.

REYNOLD B. JOHNSON. 

